POSITION

• GS-1702-05.06.07 Training Technician/Canine Technician

SALARY

• GS-05 $41,822.00 to $54,366.00

• GS-06 $46,621.00 to $60,609.00

• GS-07 $51,807.00 to $67,351.00

Starting salary is based on the grade appointed at. New Hires to the federal government normally start at the 

lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.

PROGRAM AREA

• Plant Protection and Quarantine, National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC)

DUTY LOCATION

• Newnan, GA

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full-time

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT

• Permanent

NUMBER OF VACANCIES

• Multiple

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.

• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

• Successful completion of one-year trial period or probationary period as applicable.

• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments

made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.

• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including

your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

WHO MAY APPLY

Non-competitive Hiring Authorities. Veterans – VRA or 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Schedule A (persons 

with disabilities), Military Spouses, Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers. 
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OVERVIEW

Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is a program within APHIS which safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural 

resources against the entry, establishment, and spread of economically and environmentally significant pests, 

and facilitates the safe trade of agricultural products. Join our team and gain valuable experience working in the 

field to stop this invasive species from harming our nation’s agriculture.

This position serves as a Training Technician at the Professional Development Center (PDC), National Detector 

Dog Training Center (NDDTC). The incumbent works closely with the specialists in the field of training and 

education to ensure accomplishment of education and training programs for Plant Protection and Quarantine

(PPQ), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Department of Homeland Security(DHS) employees, 

and/or other stakeholders (i.e., federal, states department of agriculture, foreign ministries of agriculture, etc.).

This position may be filled as a GS-05, GS-06 and GS-07 multi-grade career ladder.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Procures potential canines from various sources (i.e., public and private shelters, rescue groups, 

breeders, vendors and private owners).

• Conducts an initial evaluation of canines to determine suitability for the PPQ detector dog program.

• Serves as primary technical support provider with emphasis on learning management systems and 

authoring tools and their uses to enhance training delivery.

• Facilitates the use of current technologies in online learning practices for the production and delivery of 

training courses.

• Organizes logistics for training delivery, including classroom/environmental set up, class transportation, 

training supplies, and instructional materials.

• Maintains supply inventory for the NDDTC facility and training areas.

• Formats, proofreads, edits and finalizes written documentation, reports, instructional materials and 

training design documents using prescribed guidelines and conforming to rules of punctuation, 

grammar, diction and style.

• Performs inspections of government equipment and facilities to ensure compliance with all safety 

regulations and training accreditation standards.

• Assists training specialists with the administration of training course evaluations and assessments.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have 

been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors.

OR; 4-year course above High School leading to a bachelor's degree.

OR; Combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

• FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have 

been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors.

• FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) that may have 

been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors.

NOTE: Education is generally not creditable above GS-05; however, graduate education may be credited 

in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration to: gary.a.rakow@usda.gov Please 

list the Position Title in the subject line.
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• Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) 

education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including 

work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other 

qualifications or certifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed 

and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.

• When claiming Veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, 

which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you 

must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable 

conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.

• Disabled Veterans must also submit a VA Disability Letter (if applicable) for verification of serviceconnected disability.

• Schedule A candidates must include a Schedule A Letter for eligible disabled persons. To be eligible for 

Schedule A, you must provide a proof of a disability letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, 

severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. You can get this letter from your doctor, a licensed 

medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist or any federal, state, or local agency 

that issues or provides disability benefits. Letter must be on office Letterhead.

• Military Spouses must provide a copy of: Spouse ID card, Copy of Active-Duty spouses military orders, 

and marriage certificate.

• Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers must provide their NCE letter.

• Must submit a copy of Transcripts if qualifying with education as listed in qualifications section. 

Transcripts can be unofficial but, if selected, candidates will be required to submit official transcripts 

before start date.

Equal Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

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